10JACARANDASEASONACTIVITIES!

06 STROLL FIG TREE AVENUE

The Jacarandas may get all the glory but trust us, this garden city has got more than one tree up its sleeve! This magnificent avenue of giant fig trees is a National Trust listed site. They form an arch about 30 metres above the asphalt, making it a lovely cool spot to wander and wonder. There’s a little green space for a snack or a picnic, where you can take in the water.

Breimba Street Grafton, access ‘Fig Tree Ave’ from Bacon Street. Green space is at corner of Breimba and Pound Street.

07 WITNESS A FREAKY NATURAL PHENOMENON

Each dusk, the sky over the Clarence River becomes a swarming black beast as Susan Island’s flying fox colony wake from their daytime slumber and go in search of their evening meal … (of fruit). Watch the spectacle from a riverside pub (The Crown Hotel in Grafton or Walkers Marina Hotel in South Grafton) or Memorial Park.

08 HANG OUT AT THE COOL SIDE OF TOWN

A little bit vintage, authentically retro, South Grafton’s main street has a quirky, interesting vibe. Eclectic cafes, recycled clothing stores mix with rural supply providers. Colourful murals and arty street blisters reflect local Gumbaingirr history and culture. The boulevard right by the river marina provides shady trees, picnic facilities and BBQs. And you might catch a play or local musician at the Pelican Playhouse.Skinner Street South Grafton

09 EAT AND DRINK!

We should have put this at number two after the Jacarandas! Here in G-Town there are myriad epic places to eat, drink and relax. There’s top class coffee, great seafood (the coast is only a hop, skip and jump away), and all your dietary requirements will be catered for.

10 ROAM THE REGION!

And why not extend your stay and experience the delights of the Clarence Valley. Grafton’s not far from the coast, including the gorgeous coastal towns of Yamba, Wooli and Iluka (only 40 minutes away) and the rather well kept secret of the Clarence Valley hinterland is just a short (and very picturesque) drive. Make sure you have a look through our My Clarence Valley site to discover all of the amazing things you can do to make your visit to the Jacarandas truly memorable experience.

01 SEE THE PURPLE TREES!

Presumably you’re here for Jacaranda Season, so number one on this list HAS to be experiencing the glorious, dreamlike ambiance of Grafton’s Jacaranda-lined avenues and parks. Too much purpleness is never enough! The map overleaf gives you a good indication of the streets to see.

02 GALLERY VISIT!

Once your senses have been invigorated by the Jacarandas, a visit to the Clarence Valley’s hub of fine art – The Grafton Regional Gallery – is a must. Prentice House (the heritage building that contains the gallery) is an art-piece in itself. Plus you can pick-up more Clarence Valley information while you’re here at our Visitor Information Centre located at the Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy Street.

03 KAYAK TO SUSAN ISLAND

Enough culture for the moment! Hire a kayak and get on our big, beautiful river! It’s an easy paddle from town to Susan Island, where you can visit the subtropical rainforest Nature Reserve with massive Moreton Bay Fig trees. Or just paddle around the 23 hectare island. Susan Island is a registered significant site to the Aboriginal women of the Clarence Valley and the Nyami Julgaa are the cultural custodians of the island.Pontoons at end of Prince St Grafton or Skinner St South Grafton.

04 BRIDGE WALK

Sure, you can do the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk, but the Sydney Harbour Bridge doesn’t change direction on a jaunty angle halfway along now does it? This makes the Grafton Bridge Walk clearly superior to its Sydney imitator. And that strange thing in the water, at the south-west end? … It’s a shipwreck! Here lie the remains of the Induna, which served as a rail-ferry before the bridge was completed in 1932. Once Induna’s services were no longer required, it sank of a broken heart. (Not true.) Access the footbridge off Fitzroy or Greaves St Grafton or Bridge Lane South Grafton

05 TIME TRAVEL! (SORT OF)

Until we iron out some bugs with our backyard time machine, Grafton’s Walking and Cycling Heritage Trail is still the best way to visit another era. Set your co-ordinates to 1884 and marvel at the Christ Church Cathedral – (revolutionary at the time for breaking away from established religious design), or 1893 (The imposing Grafton Gaol). The many private residences let you imagine what life was like in this thriving country town in the 1900’s.

The Walking and Cycling Heritage Trail booklet is available at the same locations as this tri-fold!

If you’re taking snaps while you’re exploring the trail, don’t forget to share them with us!

@myclarencevalley #myclarencevalley

Clarence Valley Visitor Centre 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton (02) 6643 0800 www.myclarencevalley.com

MARKETSQUARE

SHOWGROUND

When is Grafton’s Jacaranda Season? Jacaranda season

is surprisingly brief,

which only makes the

experience more rare and

memorable. Generally

speaking, the purple

blossoms start to show

themselves in early-

to-mid October. The

second half of October

sees the streets and

parks of Grafton look

like something out of a

dream, with the trees

in full bloom. By mid-

November, the roads and

footpaths are carpeted

in fallen purple blossoms

as the Jacarandas prepare to don their lighter, green summer

outfits. Seeing as Nature makes the call on matters such

as blooming and blossoming, we consulted with Nature to

identify the season as accurately as possible. After speaking

with a number of magpies, possums, and hugging several

Jacarandas, we’re declaring 18 October to 10 November as

Grafton’s ‘Official’ Jacaranda season!

How about Grafton’s Jacaranda Festival?

This colourful, wonderful community celebration is loved by

visitors and residents alike. The Jacaranda Festival occurs

over the last week of October and first week of November.

What’s the best way to get around?

It’s pretty easy to get around by foot in Grafton. No steep

hills, not too much traffic, and, what a way to soak up nature’s

purple beauty, walking underneath the Jacarandas, seeing

them from afar and approaching one step at a time …

Cycling is a very pleasant in Grafton, there are wide streets

and some dedicated bike paths.

Busways is the local bus company, check their schedule for

stops and times. www.busways.com.au/region/grafton

And you can always call a taxi, on 02 6642 3622

JACARANDA SEASON...

A FEW THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT1700100’s3 JACARANDA

TREESOF PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES

WEEKS OF FULL BLOOMS

Great spots for great photos #graftonjacarandas #myclarencevalley